EC Announces Rajya Sabha Elections For 24 Seats; Polling Dates Revealed

New Delhi:  The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday has announced elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats on June 18, stating that the polls for the Upper House will be held in 10 states where the incumbents are retiring on different dates beginning June 21 to July 19. 

Where will the elections happen?

The elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats will be held in four seats each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, three seats each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, two seats in Jharkhand and one seat each in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. 

According to ECI, the last date for filing the nominations is June 8.

What is the full schedule?

According to the Election Commission's notification, the last date for filing nominations is June 8. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 9, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been set for June 11.

The voting will be conducted on June 18 between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting of votes scheduled for 5 pm on the same day. The entire election process is expected to be completed by June 20.

Who are retiring?

Among the leaders who are completing their Upper House tenure are Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Union Ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian.

Union Minister of State for Food Processing and Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, is a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan. His term ends on June 21. Similarly, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, George Kurian, is a Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh. His term also ends on June 21.